Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2010 #2

I have never been (or wanted to) on the Umphafa road train. Can you actually see anything from it, just looks like it goes down the access tracks? I would rather have the path back all around the elephant paddocks as this used to be our 'route' lol
 
I have never been (or wanted to) on the Umphafa road train. Can you actually see anything from it, just looks like it goes down the access tracks?

You're certainly not missing anything. I've been on it once - because I have a young child - and indeed it does go down the access tracks ...... I think at one point you pass a faux 'camp' in the bushes - which was the 'highlight' of the trip :rolleyes:. I can't remember anything else about it which says it all !
 
but the few times I've been up round there I haven't noticed Tembo, though will definitely go and have another look the next time I go. You still wouldn't be able to photograph him though would you ? :(
Well you will be able to photograph him but with diffulculty! I've never bothered. It is indeed a shame that its only limited viewing of him.

I've been on the umpha train once myself. I'm certainly not rushing to get back on there again.......
 
Do people really want to go from the childrens area to the other side of the paddocks? seems a strange route to me as you miss out so much by not walking lol
 
An update from the zoo on Jabu the Gelada Baby:

Jabu the Gelada baby has been growing bigger and stronger, and has now started to explore around the enclosure at Gelada Bridge. Mum is still keeping a close eye, and a very firm hold of Jabu as you will see in the footage, she makes sure he is never too far from her sight by keeping a firm grip on his tail!

Make sure to stop by Gelada Bridge and catch a glimpse of the family together on your next visit!

 
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Just had a look at the news letter :D

Have they added Highland Wildlife Park to the list of zoos you can visit with a gold/platinium card ? Edinburgh was always on there but we were considering Scotland for our holiday this year and would have noticed???? or maybe not!!

Like the sound of the murder mystery night :D Murder Mystery Evening (A Midsummer Murder) - Saturday 14th July

Certainly have a full programme of events coming up!!!!
 
Highland Wildlife Park was never on the list before, so they must have added it. I was considering doing the same as you but with my Chester Zoo membership.
 
UPDATE FROM TODAY:

-Two hammerkops share the old orang enclosure eith the last Stork. Also Scarlett ibis have left
-Change of indoor enclosures for the silvery marmosets as their enclosure now holds 1:1 Blue Magpies
-Old enclosure demolished next to Iguana House Entrance. A Public Archway has now been put in place.
-Decking area complete and looks great
-Small mammal development still underway for new sloth area
-Koi Carp and Pacu Temporarily moved to other tanks as theirs are being refurbished
-Binturong and banded mongoose off show till new area is completed.
-There are developments in the cheetah enclosure as Uria has a new mate! Aris the male cheetah came from Hamerton Zoo in Cambridgeshire.
 
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I also went to the zoo in the afternoon.

I saw both Tumba and Talia both cuddled up to each other in the chimpanzee sleeping quarters.:)

Also saw the baby ardvark and got a couple of glimpses of the elephants. Subu was sat on a rock looking just fine.

As for the orangutans this was a 1st! I got a better view of Tiga than I did of Rajang!! Tiga was sat around in the main indoor area a short distance from the windows whilst Rajang had his back against us at the back of the 1st night quarter. He then lied down near the front but never looked properyly at the visitors!

BTW ZooLeopard do you know why they are taking so long to start work on the new tropical exhibit.
 
They have numerous other renovation work to do at the moment. Currently the old orang house is acting as a holding area.
 
It's been confirmed that the new reticulated giraffe bull will be arriving in May from Nuremburg Zoo in Germany. Not Dvur Kralove as previously speculated.
 
Goretex I have noticed that to about Rajang he has been in the end sleeping quarters staring at the back wall!! He was still interacting with Tiga but not really interested in the public at all!

Think he is starting to act his age as he quickly tired of the barrage of people taking his photo and calling him a gorilla/monkey/mummy to Tiga :rolleyes:

He still seemed happy plodding along doing his own thing tho, following Tiga in and out of the sleeping quarters :D
 
The zoo have now released some info about Ares the new cheetah:

Male Cheetah arrives on breeding loan
Uria, our female cheetah has recently been joined by a new male cheetah on breeding loan from Hammerton Zoo in Cambridgeshire.

The male cheetah is named 'Ares', and has been with us at Colchester Zoo before in September 2009. It is hoped that while he is here again, that this time he and Uria will successfully mate.

Ares arrived at Colchester Zoo on the 4th March, and will remain here for a month until around April time when he will return to Hammerton Zoo.

In the meantime, you may be able to catch a glimpse of both the cheetahs out in their enclosure down in the African Zone section of the park.
 
Is that cut-and-paste from the zoo? Why can they never spell Hamerton? :)
 
Goretex I have noticed that to about Rajang he has been in the end sleeping quarters staring at the back wall!! He was still interacting with Tiga but not really interested in the public at all!

Think he is starting to act his age as he quickly tired of the barrage of people taking his photo and calling him a gorilla/monkey/mummy to Tiga :rolleyes:

He still seemed happy plodding along doing his own thing tho, following Tiga in and out of the sleeping quarters :D
He simply is elderly now and we have to make as much use of seeing him as possible. Who knows maybe Tiga's learning lessons off him from how to look at the public.:rolleyes:

As for the names I think I've already heard of them. It makes you laugh what the public say sometimes.:);)
 
He simply is elderly now and we have to make as much use of seeing him as possible. Who knows maybe Tiga's learning lessons off him from how to look at the public

Tiga's mother, Kibriah, is an old hand at interacting with the public at Twycross so I'm sure he picked up a few tips there :)
 
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